'Treasures of the Hard Rock' brings music gold to Pittsburgh

Exhibit on display at Hard Rock Cafe from March 27-31

There was Pete Townshend's smashed guitar, a Jimi Hendrix gold record and the signature jacket of U2's Bono. These pieces of music history are part of three exhibits at the Pittsburgh Hard Rock Cafe this week.

Sales manager Roy Smith said, "Hard Rock has been around since 1971, and it has built the idea that Rock n' Roll history is important."

The traveling exhibits include "Music Gives Back," which includes five artists who have given back to the community through charitable works.

The other part of "Treasures of the Hard Rock" is "Gone Too Soon."

Smith said, "Artists that have passed too young. Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, Elvis. A lot of these acts that were too young to leave us. "

There is Michael Jackson's studded leather jacket worn throughout his Bad tour and the eighth-grade yearbook from Cobain.

There is the permanent collection at Hard Rock Pittsburgh, and some new pieces have been added. One of them is the fedora that Jackson wore on the Victory Tour.

There are also reminders of the rich Rock 'n Roll history in Pittsburgh. A new room highlights acts that played in Pittsburgh's great venues that include The Decade and the Stanley Theater.

Smith said, "Bob Marley played his last show ever in Pittsburgh at the Stanley Theater and we have a Bob Marley piece."

The Pittsburgh Hard Rock has also managed to keep another important piece from traveling around the world to other Hard Rock Cafes. It is an Andy Warhol painting of Rolling Stones lead singer Mick Jagger. It is signed by the artist and Jagger.

Hard Rock Pittsburgh manager Gary Marasco said, "There was going to be a wrestling tournament to make sure that one stayed here."